The range of this species is from southern Ontario and Michigan to eastern North Dakota and southward to Denison, Texas, and Arizona.

[3] This tree inhabits wooded bottomlands, the prairie border, and the midwest savanna understorey.

This tree grows to 10–13 m (33–43 ft) high with a dense crown of thorny branches and an ash-grey trunk.

The leaves are 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) in length and often drop in late summer due to defoliation by leaf diseases.

The large brightly colored edible fruit of the species ripen from the middle of August to early in September.